What to Wear With My Wedding Lace Dress?

by Jeanette
(Sweden)

What type of shoes, acessories and jacket would look good with my cream-colored lace wedding dress?

This spring my fiance and I are getting married and going to Paris for our honeymoon. I bought my dress two years ago because I was stunned by it in the window of a small shop and decided I must have it even if there was no wedding planned at the time.

Since then I have learned a little more about what colors fit me, (I'm sure I am winter, but haven't completely made out which of the different varieties of winter I might belong to, maybe it's visible to you from the picture?) so I understand that a cream white dress covered with golden lace is not the best choice for me but I still love the dress and want to use it.

Therefore I want to follow your advice and choose something in one of "my" colors to be near my face, and as April is not a very warm month in Sweden I guess a cardigan or small jacket of some kind might be a good choice, but I'm not sure what color or cut will look best?

I'm also wondering what type of shoes and accessories would be good to wear with it?

The dress ends right above my knees and has an empire waist and a v-neckline. Those are the details that I can think about that might be helpful.

Our wedding will not be a big formal one, we will just go to the town hall for a short ceremony, then get something to eat with our closest family and then go straight to Paris in the evening, but still I want the outfit to look special and not too casual.

Considering we are going to Paris where everyone is super chic (I just love the French way of dressing) it would be nice if I could use the items with some other, more casual dress when we are there, as I want to pack light (to be able to carry home whatever we might be buying in Paris) and might not have time to change my outfit before we go to the airport.

One more thing I would like to mention that might be helpful is that I usually appreciate contrasts in my outfits. I rarely wear monochromatic outfits but like to mix light colors with darker ones. I'm telling this because the traditional bride is often in light colors from head to toe, but for me it would not be a problem to go with something darker.

I'm a girl from Sweden who has for a while been a frequent visitor to your lovely website. I especally like your very practical approach to fashion and clothing, your advice is so easy, even for those like me who really has no clue about fashion, to follow.

Congratulations on your upcoming wedding day! You have a lovely face with a clear and bright complexion. I envy you :-)

You're definitely right about the dress - it's beautiful but not too over-the-top. Cute but simple. I would be happy to give you some suggestions and fashion advice on what to wear on your wedding day and honeymoon in Paris!

Your best colors

Your complexion is similar to Liv Tyler who also has a pinkish-cool skin with dark hair and striking blue eyes. You have strong contrasts in your overall complexion so you look great in dark and clear, jewel colors like black, icy white, royal blue, hot pink, purple, etc. Here is the color chart for your seasonal color group:

Clear Winter Palette

Types of accessories and shoes

Courtesy of Overstock Jeweler, yourelegantly.com, Zappos

I really believe you should keep the accessories minimal (solid colors, simple styles) so that your beautiful lace dress will shine :-)

Since you like contrasts you might want to opt for simple dangle or stud earrings and necklace, with either red, black or purple crystals. Or a pearl jewelry set in gray will also look good. It's not the traditional white like most brides wear on their wedding day, but it works better with your taste since you mentioned that you prefer the contrast looks!

If you want to cover a little bit of your cleavage and arms during the ceremony I suggest adding a lavender shawl if you decide to wear jewelry in either black or purple. If you're wearing red crystal jewelry, light silver/gray would be good since it acts as a neutral (can be worn with anything).

For shoes, a pair of simple pumps in matching color as your jewelry along with nude sheer hosiery would look chic.

It's a bit difficult to style a wedding dress without making it look too casual. But the shorter styled wedding dress and lack of fancy jewelry makes changing into boots, cardigan, jacket and a shawl much easier!

Jacket to go with your wedding dress

Banana Republic, Macy's, Zappos

There's no better time to go to Paris than in Spring. You'll be experiencing cherry and apple blossoms, but unfortunately it is known to be the wettest month for Paris :/ So remember to bring with an umbrella and a pair of boots to keep yourself dry.

Average temperature is 10 degrees Celsius (probably the same as in Sweden) so I recommend adding a couple of layers with your wedding dress. You can never go wrong with a classy hip-length belted black trench coat - very chic, lady-like and simple. Of course if you prefer a trendier look a black hip length leather would also look good with the cream-gold lace dress. If it's cold layer it on top of a stylish open cardigan.

You can also wear the trench coat and cardigan with whatever you're bringing with you to help you save space in your luggage. Evenings in Paris during Spring tend to get very chilly.

If you're planning on bringing with you a couple of casual dresses, you might want to match them with black or deep purple opaque tights for an ultimate, chic Parisian look :-)

Hope I gave you some ideas.

I wish you the best on your wedding day and the future to come with your beloved man :-)

Comments for What to Wear With My Wedding Lace Dress?

Your wedding dress is beautiful and you are too. But do not wear purple or lavender with that cream dress! Wear dark brown leather high heals and gold earrings or, better yet, pearls.
Listen to me...I know what I'm talking about. Do the classic thing. Not the trendy thing.

Feb 14, 2010Rating

Thank you!by: Jeanette

Your answer was most helpful to me, and now I know better what I am looking for. I am very fond of purple, so hearing that would be a good choice was was very pleasing.
The earrings shown in your answer where very beautiful, so I will go look for something similar and probably go for the lavender shawl option, I imagine it would also look good to wear around ny neck with the black trenchcoat you suggested. I am also very thankful for the dressing advice for Paris!